author page dima

All articles dima:

Toyota Volta Concept
HONDA, ITALDESIGN-GIUGIARO TOYOTA CONCEPT HYBRIDS MAKE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT IN MICHELIN CHALLENGE DESIGN™ NAIAS EXHIBIT
Honda GRX, Italdesign-Giugiaro Toyota Volta Join 34 Works Representing California Design
DETROIT- Michelin Challenge Design™ (MCD) brings an international collection of 36 works — including two high-profile concept vehicles making their North American debut from Honda and Italdesign-Giugiaro Toyota — for a special exhibition at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). In addition to the Honda GRX hybrid concept and concept eco supercar Toyota Volta, this year’s MCD exhibit features 12 scale models and 22 computer-generated ...

Toyota FJ Cruiser Review
Toyota is the master of the pastiche. The company’s designers never met a Mercedes they couldn’t morph, or a Bangled BMW they couldn’t bootleg. Granted, capturing the essence of a rival’s design without ending up on a hard bench outside the World Intellectual Property Organization is something of an art form. But quite what Toyota had in mind with the FJ Cruiser is hard to fathom. In one sense, they’re finally getting ’round to ripping themselves off: riffing on the FJ40 Land Cruiser’s riff on the original Jeep. On the other hand, anyone who clocks the FJ Cruiser’s brick-like bearing and doesn’t think Hummer just ...

Marijuana manufacturing 2.0
February 12, 2014: 11:28 AM ET
Companies large and small are racing to bulk up on tech innovation for a nascent legal market that is suddenly, well, ablaze.
By Jane Porter
FORTUNE — Matthew Cohen wants his startup TRiQ to be the Toyota of marijuana manufacturing. The company, which opened its doors in Ukiah, Cal. in 2013, has a long way to go. But already, TRiQ is partnering with software and manufacturing companies outside the cannabis industry in an attempt to revamp the way marijuana is being produced. Toyota is one of our idols, Cohen says. How they took car manufacturing systems and totally reinvented it — that’s similar to what we are ...

Is It Possible to Import a JDM MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo to the US?
I just received this email question — I was wondering if importing an JDM Mk4 Toyota Supra turbo would be possible to the US.
The first thing I assume when someone says import, is that they want to legally import and be able to drive a car. Anything can be temporarily imported. but has to be exported within a certain amount of time.
www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig101012c.pdf. Looking though that PDF, no the Toyota Supra is not on the list. Of particular importance for something like a JDM Toyota Supra, is that the vehicle is right hand drive(RHD).
All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles ...

The New Sports Sedan? – 2013 Toyota Camry V6 vs. 2013 Honda Accord V6 vs. 2013 Nissan Maxima SV
There was a time not too long ago when there was a very clear delineation between what separated a humdrum family sedan from a luxury sport sedan. Usually it meant having to spend an exorbitant amount on a sedan imported from a place like Bavaria (BMW) or Stuttgart (Mercedes-Benz). Then starting in 1986 Honda’s Acura division entered the luxury sport sedan market place shortly followed by both Nissan (with the Infiniti brand) and of course Toyota with Lexus.
But now the year is 2013 and even Cadillac has a line-up of fun to drive luxury sedans that are as home on the interstate as they are on ...

The Azera is double-take attractive in features and ride quality
I too was shopping for a full-size near luxury car and had specific requirements. I live in Manhattan and often park on the street. Good luck leaving the Avalon and Maxima on the street. Bye bye! I needed a car with excellent rear legroom and comfort because I often take four adults. Much of my driving is highway, and a comfortable drivers seat is imperative. I wanted creature comforts, a good sound system, and a nice moonroof. Oh, and a decent trunk.
I have a caveat. I tend to keep my cars for a long time. Warranty and reliability are important to me. I had owned a 1991 Toyota Cressida—Super White with ...

What the truck? Versatile, but not a true pickup.
FAST FACTS
1. The Ridgeline may be a Honda but it’s built in Lincoln, Alabama. Even its engine and transmission were made in the USA, with 70 percent of its parts content from the U.S. and Canada.
2. Fuel economy is low at 15 MPG in city driving and 21 on the highway; that works out to an average of 17 MPG.
3. Under the hood is a 3.5L V6 with 250 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. It’s saddled with a five-speed automatic transmission.
4. At right around $30,300 to start, including destination and delivery charges our tester stickered for more than 38 grand.
THE BASICS
The Ridgeline blends the functionality and comfort of a crossover ...

The Toyota Usa Museum
Next Chapter
The release of the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S has not only breathed new life into the enthusiast car market. it’s also breathed new life into the Toyota brand itself. There was a long period where it seemed Toyota had completely given up on making fun cars, but that’s changed now and we can hope that the 86/FR-S are just the first in a new line of exciting Toyota vehicles coming down the line.
With this new-found excitement over the brand swirling in my head, I recently made a visit to the Toyota USA Automobile Musuem in Torrance, California, located right down the street from Toyota’s American headquarters.
I’d never visited Toyota’s US museum before, ...

Summary
The first generation of Toyota Auris was a popular car that appealed directly to buyers’ heads. It wasn’t expensive to run, it was practical and it was reliable. Alternatives like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf were much better to drive, however.
Desirability wasn’t a key strength of the Auris either. While it was presentable it looked anonymous and it didn’t have the credibility or appeal that made the German brands so successful.
The Japanese manufacturer took note and this version of the Auris promises more driver engagement, a simplified equipment range, improved styling and lower running costs.
Engine line-up
Available in the new Toyota Auris is a selection of ...